Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM - AKA The Dust Pump

Leftcoast_Mike wrote in post #15675879
Anyone else find this lens just makes everything look like sand at low shutter speeds? I'm using a 7D and maybe I got a bad (UZ) copy but I'm usually more disappointed with results than I am happy. I can shoot any other lens I own at 1/40 and get a good sharp image but this thing just wrecks 80% or more of them. I'm not convinced sending both the body and lens away for a tune will fix this.

most of what I shoot ends up being 200mm or further but even 100mm it's rather average.

Handheld at 1/100.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/smandavia/85027​99001/

doofuss wrote in post #15678427
Love the flames pixel basher. My local drag venue has Nitro funny cars happening in a couple of weeks time, so very keen to check them out and get a few pics.

I can't get enough of the top fuellers, I just don't get down to them very often.

I took this to show how the media guys REALLY earn their money in this sport!

haha, looking at that, maybe I should settle for not being directly trackside and should just continue to use my 100-400 from a safe distance. (I still feel ringing in my ears from several days ago despite wearing good quality plugs)

doofuss wrote in post #15678566
haha, looking at that, maybe I should settle for not being directly trackside and should just continue to use my 100-400 from a safe distance. (I still feel ringing in my ears from several days ago despite wearing good quality plugs)

I'd like to do that at least once though!

Thing is those guys should have plugs and muffs on as the magnitude of the noise is literally felt in your chest as you probably already know. And if you have your mouth open it gets down in your throat and does some funky stuff! The pressure waves hitting the side of this guys face make the plugs on their own better than nothing of course, but at around 150 dBa will still cause hearing damage. The NHRA apparently had some seismologists out at a track once and measured 2.3 on the richter scale!!

Another son to be deaf photog. panning at 1/500th still smashes the background, and this is just off the line!

I'd still love to sit there and get some shots though!

I know what you mean about "feeling" the noise as I experienced the exact same thing last weekend. It reverberates through your whole body. And the pic above is a ripper!!!!

I use mine down to 1/60 handheld on the regular.

1/60 ƒ/22 ISO-100 120 mm

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …adphotography/8​065475032/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …adphotography/7​682016072/

From the San Diego Safari Park:

PHOTOBUCKET EMBEDDING IS DISABLED BY THIS MEMBER. Photobucket sends ads instead of embedding photos from their free galleries. Click the link (if available) below to see the image in a gallery page. http://i891.photobucke​t.com …orilla3-1_zpsd8449a15.jpg

Australian International Airshow

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …danielxjr1300/8​532267071/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …danielxjr1300/8​533366756/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …danielxjr1300/8​533364136/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …danielxjr1300/8​533356502/

That last shot is awesome ^^^^^^^^

I just sold my 100-400 Im going to miss it but onwards and upwards 70-200f2.8mk2 on the way

tonylong wrote in post #15678036
Mike, that looks pretty good to me, this type of shooting stretches the limits of our gear and our skill -- practice, practice, practice!

I actually preferred the 70-200 lens for aviation, auto and sports because it seemed to perform better AF-wise. It was my go-to lens for that stuff! But, the 100-400 is still what I grab for reach!

Thanks Tony. I sure do practice a lot but it can be frustrating with this lens sometimes. I've thought a lot about going to a 70-200 f/2.8 II with a 1.4x tc III. Tried this last year (rental) but the TC was a ver II and it didn't work out so well with the ver II lens. I'm told using the ver III TC is much better with things like AF speed.

pixelbasher wrote in post #15678044
What I do notice is that diffraction has wrecked just as many shots if the light is good and I need to get the shutter right down. I bought a 2 stop ND filter to try and help, and whilst it did help, taking 2 stops of light out doesn't help a lens that needs as much as it can get!

catch 22. As soon as the sun ducks behind a cloud this lens goes to sleep.

Went out testing the lens via a rental and overall impressed, but not really for me due to then need for sports.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/nickperkins/8​539479056/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/nickperkins/8​539478434/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/nickperkins/8​539478896/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/nickperkins/8​538404981/

low light, low shutter
f/5
1/125
200mm
ISO 100